CONVENTION: Kim Duyst Named George Dales Award Winner

ORLANDO, Fla. – Kim Duyst is this year’s recipient of the George Dales Award.

Duyst was feted on Wednesday during the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. It’s only fitting that she was honored on that night, as Duyst was inducted into the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2008, following a legendary, 21-year career as the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field coach at Stanislaus State. Duyst was named the Associate Athletic Director at the university in the fall of 2007 and served as Interim Athletic Director from May 2017 until her eventual retirement from the university in August 2018.

The George Dales Award is named in honor of longtime Western Michigan coach George Dales for his relentless pursuit in the growth and development of cross country and track & field over more than half of a century. This award is presented annually to an individual who, like Dales, enhanced the profession of coaching cross country and track & field.

From USTFCCCA Awards Central: George Dales Award

Duyst has been instrumental in pushing for coach involvement and amplifying their voice. She currently serves as the cross country and track & field sport liaison for the NCAA Division II Coaches Connection as a link between the sports she loves and the official NCAA office.

Prior to her involvement with the NCAA Division II Coaches Connection, Duyst held numerous important administrative roles, both at the NCAA level and with the USTFCCCA. From 1999 to 2003, Duyst served on the NCAA Track & Field Rules Committee. Before that, Duyst served as the President of the NCAA Division II Track & Field Coaches Association from 1992 to 1994 and as Vice President of the United States Track Coaches Association (now the USTFCCCA) from 1995 to 1998.

Prior to her involvement with the NCAA Division II Coaches Connection, Duyst held numerous important positions, including the Chair of the NCAA Division II Track & Field and Cross Country Sports Committee, as well as on the NCAA Division II Championships Committee and the NCAA Division II Management Council, among others.

Duyst-coached athletes won nine national championships and more than 70 Warrior student-athletes earned All-America honors. In 1994, four student-athletes won individual national championships in track & field, while Carrie Luis became the first student-athlete to win four national titles and earn six All-America plaudits. Also in 1994, Stanislaus State’s men’s team placed fourth at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was the first track & field team in school history to win a conference crown.

It’s safe to say Duyst is also a trailblazer: Duyst was the first female to ever be appointed to a men’s national team staff, which happened before the 2003 World Championships in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Dennis, France.